Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancée, said she felt “sad and disappointed” after seeing Biden and Bin Salmán’s meeting, but reiterated her intention to fight “until justice prevails”.
A fistfight between the US president, Joe Bidenand the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salmanfiled this Friday to try to close the chapter on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, one of the darkest in the relationship between the two nations.
Hatice CengizKhashoggi’s fiancé has said she felt “sad and disappointed” after seeing Biden and Bin Salmán’s meeting, but reiterated her intention to fight “until justice is done”.
The greeting between Biden and Bin Salmán was cold. The Prince has come to receive the American at the entrance to the Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah and just as the President stepped out of his black limousine, he came closer to bang his fist using a greeting mode that became popular during the pandemic . The gesture lasted a few seconds.
The image has had Immediate impact because it contradicted the promises Biden made during the 2020 election campaign when he promised to treat Saudi Arabia as… an outcast” on the international stage and to make its leaders pay a “price” for the 2018 assassination of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Even shortly after arriving at the White House, Biden released a report in which the CIA accused Bin Salmán of authorizing the operation that resulted in the journalist’s death and mutilation.
lower oil prices
Despite pressure on Biden not to see Bin Salmán, the meeting took place as the US needs to restore relations with Saudi Arabia to help cut oil prices caused by the war in Ukraine and western sanctions against Russia.
One reporter asked Biden if he still considered Saudi Arabia an “outer pariah,” while another reporter from US network NBC, targeting Bin Salmán, shouted: “Jamal Khashoggi, would you like to apologize to his family?”. None of the leaders replied and it was only possible to see Bin Salmán smile at the questions of the press, which thrown out of the room.
Rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel
Indirectly, the president’s visit has led to rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, who have no diplomatic relations.
Hours before Biden arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia announced that from now on it will fly all civilian aircraft over its territory, which in practice serves to to flee to and from the Hebrew state.
This change will allow Israeli airlines to significantly shorten routes to China, India or Thailand.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
